The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1887-04-28
WHAT ARE WE COMING TOP

once was. Hardly day passes now
but that there is report of a great
dedication, or scandal of some sort
in the commercial world. The scam
dals are not confined to the great cities
and of men of doubtful reputation.
They crop out in the smaller places
and reach those who hold themselves
so high as to leave the impression that
they think themselves too good to
have anything to do with common
folks"
The haste to be rich and the ex-
travagance everywhere apparent are
the chief causes of so many defalca-
tions. Men are not willing to accu-
mulate wealth by the slow processes by
which their fathers gained fortunes.
They hear of fabulous sums being &C
CURED by speculation in a short time,
and in their Impotence to get rich
they risk their all with the hope of get
ting in week or month or a year
what they could not reasonably hope
to acquire in a legitimate business in
much less than a lifetime of toll.
Generally they lose, and then, with
the hope of recovering their losses, they
speculate with the money of others
which has been intrusted to them, or
the funds of institutions of which they
are the responsible officers.
Women are not wholly blameless for
this epidemic of defalcations which af-
flicts the country. They are as ex-
travagant as the men are-in some in
stances a great deal more. They in
sist upon fine houses, fine furniture,
costly dresses, carriage, season at
a fashionable summer resort, even when
they have reason to think that their
husbands and fathers cannot afford
such things. Their discomfort, when
denied anything they want which
money can buy, often forces those upon
whom they are dependent to become
criminals to supply the money to meet
their demands. A man is in danger
of becoming dishonest as soon as he
lives beyond his legitimate income,
and even if he INDUCES his tastes for
expensive living, for fast horses, fine
wines, etc., only to the extent OF his
income, and puts nothing by for the
future, he may acquire habits which
will force him to become a fugitive
from Justice or to make him an inmate
of a prison if his income fail
The great aim of life seems to be to
get rich, and yet riches do not bring
happiness. There are desires which
wealth cannot satisfy, however great it
may be. Contentment rather than
riches, is productive of happiness, and
those who live within their incomes
and put by something each year for
old age are the nearest to being con-
tent. On the other hand, if you give
ear to the silly voice Of pride, and
overstep your income, momentary hap
piness may be yours, luxury may sur
round you, gay display enchant you
and friends gather admiringly around
you, but it cannot last-the truth will
come, the bubble is too frail, too brill
liant to buffet life's rough winds, and
in a moment it is gone, leaving you
to the hand of misfortune, and in re-
morse and poverty you sink to mourn
your sad choice. Remember, the lofty
house, and spacious halls, gaudy dis
play, jeweled and tinseled robes and
fashion and follies, oftener cause more
sorrow and bitter tears, and frowns
and burrows than their pleasure are
worth. True, the wealthy have their
joys and happiness, which many envy
The horded gold and proud title have
their favorites, but they only last while
they live within their means. But no.
bllity of heart is more to be enjoyed.
1t teaches us economy and self-sacrifce
to bring our wants to meet Our means.
While content dwelt in Eden's bower
it was Paradise, but as soon as vain
desires came whispering through its
}eafy groves, the happy angel took its
fight, and all nature felt the curse.
VALUABLE LAND SALE!
At the February Term, 1887, of the
SupariOr court of Uopoo count,